S S Rajamouli promoted his upcoming film Varanasi at the CCXP event in Mexico on Thursday.
Producer S S Karthikeya joined him on stage and unveiled a new behind-the-scenes (BTS) video from the film.
However, visuals from the panel showing several empty seats in the auditorium sparked discussion on social media, with some users calling the turnout underwhelming and disappointing.
At the same time, the situation may not be as one-sided as it appears. Reports suggest that empty seats were visible at multiple panels during the event.
Some images also show audiences standing behind the seating area, indicating that overall interest may have been spread out rather than concentrated.
It is also worth noting that the session did not feature a teaser or trailer launch — only a BTS clip and a video message from Rajamouli were presented. Typically, such content relies more on media coverage than on live audience response.
While the optics may have triggered online debate, the episode does not necessarily reflect the film’s potential in international markets.
With strong media reach and Rajamouli’s global reputation, Varanasi continues to generate curiosity beyond the event floor.